Imaging apparatus

ABSTRACT

Provided is an imaging device capable of accurately and rapidly selecting a main image from a plurality of continuously captured images and simplifying handling of image files recorded on a memory card. With one operation, it is possible to capture a plurality of continuous images at a predetermined time interval. A main image is selected from the captured images and the image data on the main image and the image data on sub images other than the main image are recorded as one image file on a recording medium ( 220 ).

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/370,027 filed Feb. 12, 2009 which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as a digitalcamera, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus capable ofcontinuously capturing a plurality of images at a predetermined timeinterval.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, remarkable progress has been made in the field ofcamera-related technology, and digital cameras have come to replaceconventional film cameras.

An advantage of a digital camera is that, whereas a conventional filmcamera does not allow a captured image to be checked before beingdeveloped, a digital camera allows a captured image to be checked on thespot, resulting in few failures even by a beginner. Also, while film canonly be used once, a digital camera records captured images in removablesemiconductor memory (hereinafter referred to as a “memory card”), whichcan be used any number of times if recorded images are deleted, and isthus advantageous from a cost standpoint. Furthermore, since capturedimages are digital signals, the amount of recorded data can be reducedby using image compression technology, enabling still more efficient useof a memory card.

A photographer who is unused to photography may miss a shutter releaseopportunity by operating the shutter at a moment when the subject hashis/her eyes closed or his/her head turned to one side, for instance, ormay take a blurred picture due to unsteady handling of the camera(“shake”) when shooting. In addition, many have had the experience oftaking a fuzzy or overexposed photograph be cause of an inappropriateshooting condition setting.

Some cameras are equipped with a continuous shooting function in orderto solve such problems. Use of this continuous shooting function makesit possible to take multiple photographs of the same subjectcontinuously under the same shooting conditions, and enables the best ofthe captured images to be selected. Moreover, a so-called “auto-bracket”function is becoming popular that makes it possible to performcontinuous shooting while varying shooting conditions such as exposureand white balance on an image-by-image basis.

With the above-described continuous shooting function, a plurality ofimages are recorded in a memory card in one shooting. These images arerecorded as one image file for one image. Each image included in imagescaptured by this continuous shooting function (hereinafter referred toas “continuous-shot images”) differs in nature from an image captured bya normal shooting function (hereinafter referred to as a “single-shotimage”). A single-shot image is a single independent image, and theshooting time, shooting location, shooting conditions, and so forth,differ for each such image. In contrast, a continuous-shot image is oneof a series of images, and after being captured, these images arehandled together.

Therefore, if continuous-shot images are recorded in the same way assingle-shot images, inconvenience arises in the handling ofcontinuous-shot images. For example, it is laborious to select and printone image from among continuous-shot images (because it is the mostsuccessfully captured, or particularly pleasing, or for some otherreason), or to input that one image to a personal computer (hereinafterreferred to as a “PC”) and subject it to various kinds of processing.Also, it is necessary to select all images each time continuous-shotimages are deleted, moved, or copied together, making the operatingprocedure cumbersome. Furthermore, the photographer must judge allcontinuous-shot images visually in order to find one image among thecontinuous-shot images, which is time-consuming and may lead to anincorrect selection.

In order to resolve such problems, a method has been proposed whereby,by creating a new folder in a memory card each time continuous shootingis performed, and recording a plurality of image files obtained by onecontinuous shooting within that folder, continuous-shot image retrieval,playback, printing, deletion, and suchlike processing is performedeasily even if many image files are generated by one continuous shootingoperation (see Patent Document 1, for example).

Also, a method has been proposed whereby continuous-shot images arerecorded in a memory card with a continuous shooting ID added to theheader of each image file, and a continuous-shot image file can beretrieved rapidly even if a single-shot image file is recorded in thesame folder as a continuous-shot image file (see Patent Document 2, forexample).

Additionally, a method has been proposed whereby continuous-shot imagescaptured by means of an auto-bracket function are displayedsimultaneously in a display section, simplifying selection of a desiredimage (see Patent Document 3, for example).

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI    11-341421-   Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.    2005-143020-   Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.    2004-229073-   Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI    7-245723-   Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI    6-325147-   Patent Document 6: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI    1-201776

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, with the conventional technology disclosed in Patent Document1, continuous-shot images are recorded together in the same folder, andtherefore, although deletion and so forth requires only one operation,these images cannot be viewed in comparison with other continuous-shotimages or single-shot images stored in another folder. Also, ifsingle-shot images and continuous-shot images are stored in the samefolder, there is no differentiation between continuous-shot images andsingle-shot images.

With the conventional technology disclosed in Patent Document 2,continuous-shot images and single-shot images can be held in the samefolder, but the number of image files becomes huge, and retrieving anecessary image file takes time. Also, images captured by the samecontinuous shooting operation may be stored in a different folder midwaythrough an operation, making image file organization difficult.

With the conventional technology disclosed in Patent Document 3, imagescaptured and stored by means of an auto-bracket function are displayedon a screen simultaneously, simplifying selection, but since the screenis small, a minor difference between images is difficult for aphotographer to judge.

Thus, heretofore, even though many images are captured by continuousshooting, image file organization has been cumbersome and retrieval andprocessing of a desired image file has been laborious. Henceforth, thecontinuous shooting function is expected to become a more importantfunction than heretofore as memory card capacities continue to increase,making resolution of the above problems a major concern.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging apparatusthat enables a plurality of related images obtained by continuousshooting to be handled easily.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an imagingapparatus that accurately and rapidly selects a main image from aplurality of continuous-shot images obtained by continuous shooting, andsimplifies handling of image files recorded in a memory card.

Means for Solving the Problems

An imaging apparatus of the present invention employs a configurationhaving an imaging section that continuously captures a plurality ofimages and acquires a plurality of image data, and a control sectionthat selects one item of image data from the plurality of image data andrecords the selected image data and remaining image data as one imagefile. By this means, a plurality of related images obtained bycontinuous shooting can be handled easily.

An imaging apparatus of the present invention employs a configurationhaving a continuous shooting section that captures a continuousplurality of images at a predetermined time interval in one operation, arecording section that records image data corresponding to the capturedplurality of captured images in a recording medium, and a main imageselection section that selects one main image from the plurality ofcaptured images, wherein the recording section records image data of themain image and image data of a sub-image other than the main image asone image file. By this means, a plurality of continuous-shot imagesobtained by continuous shooting can be handled as one image file in amemory card, and a main image representing a continuous-shot image canbe retrieved easily.

With an imaging apparatus of the present invention, provision may alsobe made for the continuous shooting section further to have a continuousshooting condition setting section that sets continuous shootingconditions including the time interval and the number of images capturedat one time at a time of shooting according to an operation of aphotographer. By this means, a photographer can set continuous shootingconditions freely, and the degree of freedom of shooting furtherincreases.

Provision may also be made for an imaging apparatus of the presentinvention further to have a shooting state detection section thatdetects shooting states of the plurality of captured images at a time ofshooting, and for the main image selection section to select the mainimage based on a detection result of the shooting state detectionsection. By this means, a main image can be selected accurately andrapidly from a plurality of continuous-shot images.

With an imaging apparatus of the present invention, provision may alsobe made for the shooting state detection section to detect an amount ofshake at a time of shooting, and for the main image selection section toselect a captured image for which the detected amount of shake issmallest as the main image.

With an imaging apparatus of the present invention, provision may alsobe made for the shooting state detection section to detect an amount ofmotion of a subject at a time of shooting, and for the main imageselection section to select a captured image for which the detectedamount of motion of the subject is smallest as the main image.

With an imaging apparatus of the present invention, provision may alsobe made for the shooting state detection section to detect a degree offocusing on a subject at a time of shooting, and for the main imageselection section to select a captured image for which the detecteddegree of focusing is highest as the main image.

With an imaging apparatus of the present invention, provision may alsobe made for the shooting state detection section to detect whether ornot a subject has his/her eyes closed by recognizing a face of a subjectat a time of shooting, and for the main image selection section toinhibit selection of a captured image in which the eyes are closed asthe main image.

Provision may also be made for an imaging apparatus of the presentinvention further to have a first and second shooting operation sectionthat starts shooting at a predetermined time interval by means of afirst shooting operation and terminates shooting after capturing apredetermined number of images at a predetermined time interval by meansof a second shooting operation, and for the shooting state detectionsection to detect the second shooting operation, and for the main imageselection section to select a captured image captured first after thesecond shooting operation as the main image. By this means, an imagecaptured at shutter release opportunity timing can be selected as a mainimage.

Provision may also be made for an imaging apparatus of the presentinvention further to have a shooting condition changing section thatchanges shooting conditions for each of the plurality of capturedimages, and a display section that displays the plurality of capturedimages, and for the main image selection section to select the mainimage from among the plurality of captured images displayed in thedisplay section according to an operation of a photographer. By thismeans, an image most liked by a photographer can be selected as a mainimage.

With an imaging apparatus of the present invention, provision may alsobe made for the shooting condition changing section further to have ashooting condition setting section that sets change contents of theshooting conditions at a time of shooting according to an operation of aphotographer. By this means, a photographer can set shooting conditionchange contents freely, and the degree of freedom of shooting furtherincreases.

Provision may also be made for an imaging apparatus of the presentinvention further to have an image file processing section that selectsthe image file recorded in the recording medium and executespredetermined processing thereon, and for the image file processingsection to have the main image only as a processing object. By thismeans, display, printing, copying, movement, transmission, and suchlikeprocessing of a main image only is simplified. Also, in copying,transmission, and the like, the recording capacity can be reduced, andhigh-speed processing becomes possible.

With an imaging apparatus of the present invention, provision may alsobe made for the image file processing section to have the main image andthe sub-image as processing objects. By this means, display, copying,deletion, and suchlike processing of all captured images captured bycontinuous shooting can be executed by means of one file operation.

With an imaging apparatus of the present invention, provision may alsobe made for the recording section to store a detection result of theshooting state detection section together with the image data in theimage file and record these in the recording medium. By this means, ashooting state detection result can be utilized in main image selectioneven after a continuous-shot image file has been recorded in a recordingmedium.

Provision may also be made for an imaging apparatus of the presentinvention further to have a main image replacement section that replacesthe main image of the image file with an arbitrary sub-image. By thismeans, a main image of an image file can easily be replaced with apreferred sub-image even after recording in a recording medium.

With an imaging apparatus of the present invention, provision may alsobe made for the main image replacement section to have a diet mode thatdeletes all the sub-images and creates a new image file of the mainimage only. By this means, recording capacity can be utilizedefficiently by deleting unnecessary sub-images by means of a singleoperation when the recording medium capacity becomes insufficient, forinstance.

Advantageous Effect of the Invention

According to an imaging apparatus of the present invention, a pluralityof related images obtained by continuous shooting can be handled easily.In addition, an imaging apparatus can be provided that accurately andrapidly selects a main image from a plurality of continuous-shot imagesobtained by continuous shooting, and simplifies handling of image filesrecorded in a memory card.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an outline drawing of a digital camera equipped with acontinuous shooting function according to Embodiment 1 of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the relationship between a release buttonand exposure at the time of a continuous shooting operation according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuitconfiguration of a digital camera according to Embodiment 1 of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4A is drawing showing an example of the structure of acontinuous-shot image file according to Embodiment 1 of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4B is a drawing showing a management information area, a header andan image data area of the continuous-shot image file of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a drawing showing details of the management information area,the header and the image data area shown in FIG. 4B;

FIG. 4D is a drawing showing details of shooting information stored inthe header shown in FIG. 4C;

FIG. 5A is an explanatory drawing of a case in which a continuous-shotimage file according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention isimplemented using an Exif format;

FIG. 5B is an explanatory drawing showing details of an APP1 markershown in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is an explanatory drawing showing details of an Exif IFD storedin the APP1 marker shown in FIG. 5B;

FIG. 5D is an explanatory drawing showing details of a main image headerand N−1 sub-image headers stored in an Exif Value Data area of the ExifIFD shown in FIG. 5C;

FIG. 5E is an explanatory drawing showing details of shootinginformation, a sub-image data pointer and a thumbnail pointer stored ina sub-image header of FIG. 5D;

FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining file management according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a shooting operation of continuousshooting according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining processing that takes a shutterrelease opportunity image as a main image according to Embodiment 1 ofthe present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining continuous-shot image processingfrom conversion to file format until recording in a memory cardaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining continuous-shot image file display(print) processing according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a sample multi-display mode screenaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a drawing showing a sample sequential display mode screenaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining copy (move, transmit) processingaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining main image replacement processingaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining processing that decides a mainimage based on a detected amount of shake according to Embodiment 2 ofthe present invention;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining processing that decides a mainimage based on an amount of motion of a captured image according toEmbodiment 3 of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining processing that decides a mainimage based on a degree of focusing of a captured image according toEmbodiment 4 of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining processing that decides a mainimage based on a face recognition result of a captured image accordingto Embodiment 5 of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a main image selection operation in ABmode shooting according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a rear view of a digital camera equipped with a continuousshooting function according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;and

FIG. 21 is a drawing showing a sample display indicating acontinuous-shot image file according to Embodiment 1 of the presentinvention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is an outline drawing of digital camera 100 equipped with acontinuous shooting function according to Embodiment 1 of the presentinvention. Digital camera 100 has lens barrel 101, viewfinder 102,release button 103, normal shooting/continuous shooting switching button104, memory card insertion slot 105, and memory card eject button 106.Normally, after the composition of a subject has been checked throughviewfinder 102, one image is captured each time release button 103 ispressed, and a captured image is recorded in a flash memory or suchlikememory card (not shown) inserted via memory card insertion slot 105.After shooting, the memory card is removed from the body of the cameraby pressing memory card eject button 106, and an image is played back bybeing input to a PC or the like, or is enjoyed after editing orprocessing.

The method of performing continuous shooting with digital camera 100will now be described.

First, normal shooting/continuous shooting switching button 104 ispressed to switch to continuous shooting mode. Then a subject for whichcontinuous shooting is to be performed is checked through viewfinder102, and release button 103 is pressed down lightly to about themidpoint of its full stroke. At this point continuous shooting starts,and release button 103 is pressed down deeply almost as far as thefull-stroke position precisely at shutter release opportunity timing. Atthis timing a shutter release opportunity captured image is captured,after which shooting is terminated following the successive capture of apreset number of images. These continuously captured images aretemporarily stored in buffer memory in the digital camera, and thenundergo predetermined processing and are saved in the memory card.

Continuous shooting will now be described in detail with reference toFIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the relationship between release button 103and exposure at the time of a continuous shooting operation according toEmbodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, assuming that releasebutton 103 is half-pressed at time t₀, the first exposure starts at timet₁. Thereafter, while the half-press state continues, shooting isperformed periodically with exposures being repeated at times t₂ and t₃based on a preset time interval. Then, when release button 103 isfull-pressed at time t₄, exposure is performed at immediately followingtime t₅, and the subject is imaged at the timing at which thephotographer most wants to perform shooting. Following this, shootingends after a preset number of images have been captured at a preset timeinterval. FIG. 2 shows a case in which three more images are capturedafter release button 103 has been full-pressed and one shutter releaseopportunity image has been captured at time t₅, with shooting continuingto be performed at times t₆, t₇, and t₈.

The continuous shooting time interval and the number of images capturedafter release button 103 is full-pressed can be set separately via amenu displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like describedlater herein provided on the rear of the body of the digital camera. Inthe above description, an example has been shown in which thephotographer consciously controls a shutter release opportunity bycombining half-press and full-press of release button 103, but thepresent invention is not limited to this, and continuous shooting mayalso be executed by using a normal continuous shooting mode in whichcontinuous shooting is performed at a preset shooting time intervalwhile the photographer is half-pressing release button 103, or aself-timer function. Also, a configuration may also be used whereby thenumber of continuously captured images and shooting time interval areset in advance in the body of the camera, and can be changed by thephotographer. Furthermore, the shooting time interval need not be fixed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuitconfiguration of digital camera 100 according to Embodiment 1 of thepresent invention. In FIG. 3, digital camera 100 has imaging lens group201 that includes zoom lens 202 and focus lens 203, aperture 204, imagesensor 205, zoom lens control drive section 206, focus lens controldrive section 207, aperture control drive section 208, image sensorcontrol drive section 209, analog signal processing section 210,analog/digital (A/D) conversion section 211, digital signal processingsection 212, auto focus (AF) detection section 213, motion detectionsection 214, buffer memory 215, JPEG processing section 216, work memory217, image recognition section 218, card interface (I/F) 219, memorycard 220, LCD interface (I/F) 221, LCD 222, external interface (I/F)223, operation section 224, shake detection section 225, data bus 226,and microcomputer 228 incorporating shooting information storage section227. It is possible to connect PC 229, printer 230, and so forth, toexternal I/F 223.

Imaging lens group 201 is an optical system for forming an image of asubject on image sensor 205. Zoom lens 202 is a lens for providing anoptically enlarged image of a subject, and is moved along the opticalaxis in line with telephoto and wide-angle shooting by zoom lens controldrive section 206. Focus lens 203 is a lens for adjusting the focalpoint of a subject, and is moved along the optical axis by focus lenscontrol drive section 207 so that the focal point is on image sensor205.

Aperture 204 is a mechanism for adjusting the optimal exposure amountbased on ambient brightness, the size of its opening being controlled byaperture control drive section 208. Image sensor 205 is an elementcomprising a CCD or the like that performs photoelectric conversion of asubject imaged by imaging lens group 201 to produce an electricalsignal, and is controlled by image sensor control drive section 209.Analog signal processing section 210 executes predetermined analogsignal processing such as gain adjustment and gamma processing on ananalog image signal output from image sensor 205. A/D conversion section211 converts an analog image signal output from analog signal processingsection 210 to a digital image signal.

Digital signal processing section 212 executes digital processing suchas noise removal and edge enhancement on image data. AF detectionsection 213 calculates an image data contrast value and detects a degreeof focusing. The detection result is input to microcomputer 228, andused for focus lens 203 control driving. Motion detection section 214detects an amount of motion of a subject at the time of shooting from adigital image data motion vector or the like, and outputs the detectionresult to microcomputer 228. Shake detection section 225 comprises anangular speed sensor or the like, and detects an amount of shake at thetime of shooting. Then this detection result is input to microcomputer228 and used for shake correction. Here, “shake” means vibration ofdigital camera 100 due to movement of the hands of a photographerholding digital camera 100 or the like.

Buffer memory 215 comprises SDRAM or the like having a capacity thatallows a plurality of uncompressed images to be stored. Image data istemporarily stored in this buffer memory 215 via digital signalprocessing section 212. Image recognition section 218 is a processingcircuit for recognizing a face part from image data read from buffermemory 215, and detecting a failed image in which the subject's eyes areclosed or the like. A face recognition result is input to microcomputer228. JPEG processing section 216 is a processing circuit for generatingcompressed data at the time of recording by executing JPEG compressionprocessing on image data stored in buffer memory 215, and restoringoriginal uncompressed image data at the time of playback by executingJPEG decompression processing on compressed data. Work memory 217 isused to convert JPEG compressed data to a file format for recording inmemory card 220. In this work memory 217, an image file for recording isformed by adding a header to compressed data. Here, a header comprisesshooting-time shooting information and a minified image (hereinafterreferred to as a “thumbnail image”) for identifying an image. Memorycard 220 is a removable semiconductor memory card, such as flash memory,for example, in which an above-described image file is recorded andsaved via card I/F 219.

LCD 222 is a display section comprising a liquid crystal displayelement, and displays an image via LCD I/F 221. During shooting, athrough-image is displayed on LCD 222 in order to check the subject, andafter shooting, an image recorded in memory card 220 is displayed on LCD222 via buffer memory 215 to allow the image to be checked. Operationsection 224 is used by the photographer to input a digital camera 100shooting mode and various kinds of shooting conditions (exposure, zoom,focus, and so forth). Setting information input via this operationsection 224 and a menu screen for performing operations are alsodisplayed on LCD 222.

The above-described elements are connected to data bus 226, and imagedata, JPEG compressed data, control information, and so forth, areexchanged among the elements via this data bus 226. In the abovedescription, buffer memory 215 that stores uncompressed image data andwork memory that stores JPEG compressed data have been described asbeing separate, but these two memories may also use common memory.

Microcomputer 228 performs integrated management of the entirety ofdigital camera 100, and controls shooting, recording, playback, display,and suchlike operations in accordance with various shooting conditionsset by the photographer via the operation section. Microcomputer 228also performs control of information communication with other externaldevices such as PC 229 and printer 230 via external I/F 223, and soforth. In addition, per-captured-image shooting states detected by AFdetection section 213, motion detection section 214, image recognitionsection 218, and shake detection section 225 are input to microcomputer228, and after being stored in shooting information storage section 227in microcomputer 228, these per-captured-image shooting states areprocessed into header information, and recorded in memory card 220embedded in an image file together with compressed data.

Microcomputer 228 has a function of selecting one item of image datafrom a plurality of image data obtained by continuously capturing aplurality of images by means of a continuous shooting function, andrecording selected image data and remaining image data as one imagefile. Microcomputer 228 reads that image file, receives a selection ofone item of image data from a plurality of image data, replaces imagedata selected the previous time with the image data selected this time,and records the image data selected this time and the remaining imagedata in the relevant image file. At this time, the image data structuremay be a structure whereby the image data selected this time and theremaining image data are transposed in the relevant image file whenimage data selected the previous time is replaced with the image dataselected this time, or may be a structure whereby the image dataselected this time is copied to a predetermined location in the relevantimage file.

To be more specific, microcomputer 228 has a function of, for example,selecting one item of image data from a plurality of image data obtainedby continuously capturing a plurality of images by means of a continuousshooting function, recording the selected main image at the start of oneimage file, and recording image data of other than the main image assub-images after the main image of that image file. Also, when mainimage replacement is performed, microcomputer 228 records apost-replacement main image at the start of that image file, and recordsimage data of other than the main image after the main image of thatimage file. That is to say, microcomputer 228 reads that image file,receives a selection of one item of image data from a plurality of imagedata, records the selected image data as a new main image at the startof that image file, and records the remaining image data after the mainimage of that image file.

In relation to the image file structure, when playing back a pluralityof image data, for example, microcomputer 228 first plays back theselected image data (main image), or plays back only the selected imagedata (main image) and image data preceding and following this. Also,microcomputer 228 reads an image file, receives an image data selectionfrom a plurality of image data, and deletes the selected image data fromthat image file (selective deletion of image data).

FIG. 20 is a rear view of digital camera 100 equipped with a continuousshooting function according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.FIG. 20 also shows dials that are not shown in FIG. 1 for the sake ofsimplicity.

Release button 103, normal shooting/continuous shooting switching button104, zoom dial 172, and mode dial 174 are located on the top of thecamera body. Release button 103 is subjected to a depression operation.In response to a half-press operation of release button 103,microcomputer 228 starts auto exposure (AE) control and auto focus (AF)control, and in response to a full-press operation of release button103, microcomputer 228 performs imaging of a subject. Zoom dial 172 islocated so as to be able to turn around release button 103. In responseto a zoom dial 172 turning operation, microcomputer 228 starts opticalzoom control and electronic zoom control. Mode dial 174 is subjected toa turning operation. Mode dial 174 is provided with calibrations, and adigital camera 100 operating mode is assigned to each calibration.Digital camera 100 operating modes include, for example, playback mode,recording mode, and so forth. In response to a mode dial 174 turningoperation, microcomputer 228 controls digital camera 100 according to anoperating mode specified by mode dial 174.

Power switch 173, arrow keypad 180, delete button 186, and LCD 222 arelocated on the rear of the camera body. Power switch 173 is subjected toa sliding operation. In response to a power switch 173 slidingoperation, microcomputer 228 switches the power state of digital camera100. LCD 222 displays image data recorded in memory card 220, a menuscreen, or the like, for example, according to an operating modeselected by means of mode dial 174 as described above. Arrow keypad 180is subjected to depression operations of five buttons: 4-directionalbuttons 181 through 184, and center button 185. In response to an arrowkeypad 180 depression operation, microcomputer 228 performs an LCD 222display operation such as playback image data switching. In response toa delete button 186 depression operation, microcomputer 228 deletespreviously selected image data.

The structure of an image file when N continuous-shot images arerecorded in memory card 220 will now be described.

FIGS. 4A to 4D show an example of the structure of a continuous-shotimage file according to Embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 4A, a continuous-shot image file is composed of three areas:management information, a header, and image data. As shown in FIG. 4B,in the header area and image data area there is stored information onone main image representing continuous-shot images followedconsecutively by N−1 sub-images. That is to say, in this embodiment, amain image is located at the start, and sub-images are located after themain image. Here, main image data and sub-image data are JPEG compresseddata. Also, as shown in FIG. 4C, in the management information areathere is stored information relating to continuous shooting such as acontinuous shooting flag, the number of continuous shots, and thecontinuous shooting interval, as well as information common to allimages such as the shooting date and time and the shooting location,while in the header area there are stored shooting information, athumbnail image, a pointer, and so forth, that differ for each image.Here, a pointer is information indicating an address at which image datacorresponding to a header is stored. Looking at a header enables thestorage location of image data in the image file to be ascertained,making it possible for retrieval and suchlike processing to be performedrapidly and easily. As shown in FIG. 4C, in this embodiment a main imageheader and sub-image header have the same structure.

As shown in FIG. 4D, items stored as shooting information includeinformation indicating the shooting state—such as a shutter releaseopportunity flag, amount of shake, amount of image motion, a facerecognition result (whether or not the eyes are closed), degree offocusing, and a main image flag—in addition to general shootingconditions set prior to shooting such as the shutter speed, f-number,focal length, and use of flash. This shooting state information is usedas information for automatically selecting a main image after shooting.However, information stored in a header as shooting information is notlimited to this. By using this kind of structure for a continuous-shotimage file, N continuous-shot images can be handled as one image file,and differentiation from a single-shot image can be performed easily bymeans of a continuous shooting flag in the management information. Inthe structure of a single-shot image file, there is no continuousshooting related management information as in FIG. 4A, and a single-shotimage header and image data are recorded in respective header and imagedata areas.

A method of achieving compatibility between a continuous-shot image fileand the Exif (Exchangeable Image File) format currently widely used as adigital camera image file format will now be described.

FIGS. 5A to 5E show an explanatory drawing of a case in which acontinuous-shot image file according to Embodiment 1 of the presentinvention is implemented using the Exif format. As shown in FIG. 5A,continuous-shot image main image data, shooting conditions supported asstandard within header information, and so forth, are stored in an Exifformat main image area. N−1 sub-images together with associatedcompression parameters and thumbnail images are added consecutivelyafter a mark (EOI) indicating the end of an image file. As shown in FIG.5B and FIG. 5C, a tag (“Maker Note Tag”) indicating that there isadditional information individually defined by a maker is present in“Exif IFD” of an Exif format image file. The actual additionalinformation (“Exif Value Data”) is stored from a position indicated byan address (“Value Offset”) entered in this tag. Since the structure ofthis additional information can be decided arbitrarily, thecontinuous-shot image file management information, main image header,and N−1 sub-image headers are stored as shown in FIG. 5D. In an abovesub-image header there are stored, in addition to shooting information,two pointers indicating sub-image data and thumbnail addressesrespectively. Using this kind of structure enables continuous-shotimages to be handled as one image file while supporting compatibilitywith the Exif format. That is to say, at least a main image can beplayed back by an old-format playback apparatus that does not support anew format (image file structure) according to this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining file management according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention, and shows the general directory(folder) structure inside memory card 220 used by digital camera 100. Asshown in FIG. 6, there is a DCF image root directory called “DCIM” inthe root of memory card 220, and directly below this are DCF directories“100ABCDE”, “101ABCDE”, and so forth. In DCF directory “100ABCDE” arerecorded eight image files ABCD0001.jpg through ABCD0008.jpg, forexample. Of these image files, ABCD0002.jpg and ABCD0005.jpg arecontinuous-shot image files, and the rest are single-shot image files.As shown in FIG. 6, continuous-shot image files are presented to thephotographer as one image file in the same way as single-shot imagefiles. Also, even though there are continuous-shot image files andsingle-shot image files in the same “100ABCDE” directory, they caneasily be differentiated by means of a continuous shooting flagidentification mark. FIG. 6 shows a view in the case of a digital camerasupporting continuous-shot image files, and a continuous shooting flagin the last column is not displayed in the case of a conventional modelthat does not support continuous-shot image files.

FIG. 21 is a drawing showing a sample display indicating acontinuous-shot image file. In this case, as one example, acontinuous-shot image file is shown in display 261 and a single-shotimage file is shown in display 262. A continuous-shot image filedisplays a main image thumbnail, and a single-shot image file displays asub-image thumbnail. In the case of a single-shot image file, there is asingle thumbnail frame, while in the case of a continuous-shot imagefile, there are three partially overlapping thumbnail frames. By thismeans, a continuous-shot image file and single-shot image file can bedisplayed in differentiated fashion even though they are both JPEGfiles. Provision may also be made for continuous-shot image file displayto differ according to the number of sub-images. For example, moreoverlapping thumbnail frames may be displayed the greater the number ofsub-images.

Thus, in a digital camera supporting a continuous-shot image file formatof the present invention, or a PC in which supporting software isinstalled, N continuous-shot images can be handled as one image file.Even with a conventional digital camera or a PC in which supportingsoftware is not installed, this image file can be recognized as if itwere a main image single-shot image file since information other thanmain image information is ignored. Thus, by recording a continuous-shotimage file in memory card 220 in the above-described format,compatibility with an old format is maintained, and image file handlingis greatly simplified compared with the prior art.

A continuous-shot image file creation process will now be described withreference to FIG. 7 through FIG. 9.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a shooting operation of continuousshooting according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. First, instep S300, it is determined whether or not the set shooting mode iscontinuous shooting mode. If continuous shooting mode has not beenselected (“NO”), the processing flow proceeds to step S302, and normalshooting is performed. If it is determined in step S300 that continuousshooting mode has been selected (“YES”), first, in step S301, continuousshooting management information such as the number of continuous-shotimages, continuous shooting interval, shooting date and time, andshooting location is input to microcomputer 228. Then, in step S303, thesystem waits for release button 103 to be half-pressed. When releasebutton 103 is half-pressed, continuous shooting is started. In stepS304, first, one frame is shot, and then in step S305 captured-imageimage data is temporarily stored in buffer memory 215, and shootinginformation for that captured image is input to microcomputer 228. Next,in step S306, whether or not release button 103 is full-pressed ismonitored, and continuous shooting is repeated at a predetermined timeinterval until release button 103 is full-pressed. Then, when full-pressof release button 103 is detected in step S306 (“YES”), in step S307 ashutter release opportunity flag in shooting information for the nextframe to be shot is set. Following this, in step S308 and step S309,one-frame shooting, image data storage in buffer memory 215, andshooting information input to microcomputer 228 are executed, and instep S310 it is determined whether or not the number of captured imageshas reached the predetermined number input in step S301, and shooting isrepeated until the predetermined number is reached, and is thenterminated.

A main image selection method in continuous shooting mode will now beexplained with reference to FIG. 8.

In this embodiment, an image captured at the time of a shutter releaseopportunity is selected as a main image. FIG. 8 is a flowchart forexplaining processing that takes a shutter release opportunity image asa main image according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Whenshooting ends, first, in step S320, image number is initialized (i=1).Next, in step S321, the shutter release opportunity flag of the i-thimage is read from shooting information storage section 227 inmicrocomputer 228. Then, in step S322, it is determined whether or notthis captured image is a shutter release opportunity image, and if it isa shutter release opportunity image (“YES”), in step S323 the main imageflag in the shooting information is set, and processing is terminated.If it is determined in step S322 that the captured image is not ashutter release opportunity image (“NO”), in step S324 image number i isupdated, the processing flow returns to step S321, and this cycle isrepeated.

The continuous-shot image file creation process will now be described.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining continuous-shot image processingfrom conversion to file format until recording in memory card 220 aftercontinuous-shooting has been performed according to Embodiment 1 of thepresent invention. First, in step S340, image number i is initialized.Then, in step S341, i-th image data is read from buffer memory 215, andin step S342 JPEG compression is executed. Next, in step S343, the mainimage flag in shooting information stored in microcomputer 228 isreferenced and it is determined whether or not this image is a mainimage, and if it is determined that this image is a main image (“YES”),in step S344 a main image header shown in FIG. 5 is created, and in stepS345 that main image header is stored in a main image area of workmemory 217 together with JPEG compressed data. On the other hand, if itis determined in step S343 that the image is not a main image (“NO”),the image is determined to be a sub-image, and in step S346 a sub-imageheader shown in FIG. 5 is created, and in step S347 that sub-imageheader is stored in a sub-image area together with JPEG compressed data.Then, in step S348 and step S349, image number i updating anddetermination are performed, and the operations in step S341 throughstep S349 are repeated until the N-th image. Next, in step S350,compressed data of all images in the order “main image, sub-images 1through N−1” and their respective headers are read sequentially fromwork memory 217, and in step S351 management information is addedthereto. In this way, a continuous-shot image file shown in FIG. 5 iscreated, and finally, in step S352, is recorded in memory card 220.

Continuous-shot image file processing will now be described withreference to FIG. 10 through FIG. 14.

FIG. 10, FIG. 13, and FIG. 14 are flowcharts for explainingcontinuous-shot image file display (print), copy (move, transmit), andmain image replacement processing respectively according to Embodiment 1of the present invention.

First, display (print) processing will be described with reference toFIG. 10.

In FIG. 10, first, in step S360, a predetermined image file is selectedfrom a folder in memory card 220, and then in step S361 it is determinedwhether or not this image file is a continuous-shot image file or asingle-shot image file, and if it is not a continuous-shot image file(“NO”) the processing flow proceeds to step S362 and normal display isperformed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S361 that theimage file is a continuous-shot image file (“YES”), in step S363 adisplay mode is selected. Digital camera 100 of this embodiment hasthree kinds of display mode: multi-display mode, main image displaymode, and sequential display mode. In multi-display mode, allcontinuous-shot images are displayed combined into one image, allowingall continuous-shot images to be viewed at the same time, and thusoffering the benefit of enabling images to be compared easily. If thismulti-display mode is selected in step S363, in step S364 compresseddata of all images are temporarily read into a corresponding area ofwork memory 217 from memory card 220, and in step S365 these compresseddata are decompressed and restored to the original uncompressed imagedata. Then, in step S366, they are combined into one image, and in stepS367 are displayed on LCD 222. An example of a screen in thismulti-display mode is shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 shows continuous-shotimage file ABCD0002.jpg in directory “100ABCDE” in FIG. 6, andillustrates a case in which seven continuous-shot images are containedin continuous-shot image file ABCD0002.jpg. In the above description, anexample has been presented in which all continuous-shot images aredisplayed in one screen, but if there are a large number ofcontinuous-shot images and one screen is too small, display may beperformed divided into any number of screens.

If main image display mode is selected in step S363, in step S368 mainimage compressed data only is temporarily read into work memory 217 froma continuous-shot image file in memory card 220. The main imagecompressed data is decompressed in step S369, and one main image isdisplayed on LCD 222 in step S370. By using this main image displaymode, a main image is displayed simply by selecting a continuous-shotimage file without having to laboriously select one main image fromamong many continuous-shot images, it is possible for display to beperformed in exactly the same way as for a conventional single-shotimage, and file selection efficiency is greatly improved.

If sequential display mode is selected in step S363, in step S371compressed data of the first image captured is read from memory card220, compressed data is decompressed in step S372, and then displayed onLCD 222 in step S373. Next, in step S374, the system waits for aninstruction from the photographer as to whether the displayed image isto be updated or display is to be terminated, and if there is an updateinstruction (“YES”), compressed data of the next image is read in stepS375, and the processing flow returns to step S372. An example of ascreen in this sequential display mode is shown in FIG. 12. In FIG. 12,recorded images can be displayed one at a time in shooting order or thereverse order by clicking forward key 251 or reverse key 252respectively at the top-right of the screen. If this sequential displaymode is used, the photographer does not have to select onecontinuous-shot image at a time, but can check all continuous-shotimages one by one simply by clicking forward key 251 or reverse key 252,and can easily retrieve a desired image by rapidly switching betweenforward key 251 and reverse key 252. Furthermore, since only oneselected image is displayed on LCD 222, more detailed checking ispossible than in multi-display mode.

In the above description, a method has been described whereby images areread from memory card 220 one at a time each time an image is selected,but provision may also be made for all images to be stored temporarilyin buffer memory 215, and for a selected image to be read from buffermemory 215 each time an image is selected, in the same way as inmulti-display mode. This enables the time between selection and displayto be shortened. Also, provision may be made for the image that isdisplayed first to be taken as a main image, and for images capturedbefore and after to be displayed sequentially, centered on the mainimage, by means of key 251 and 252 operations. In addition, sequentialplayback mode has a continuous playback function, enabling allcontinuous-shot images to be displayed in animation mode at a fixedinterval in shooting order by clicking play key 253 at the top-left ofthe screen.

Continuous-shot image file copy (move, transmit) processing will now bedescribed with reference to FIG. 13.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining copy processing. In FIG. 13,first, in step S380, a predetermined image file is selected, and then instep S381 it is determined whether or not this image file is acontinuous-shot image file or a single-shot image file, and if it is nota continuous-shot image file (“NO”), normal copying is performed in stepS382. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S381 that the imagefile is a continuous-shot image file (“YES”), a copy mode is selected instep S383. There are two continuous-shot image copy modes: all-imagescopy mode and main image copy mode. If all-images copy mode is selectedin step S383, in step S384 the continuous-shot image file is copieddirectly to another folder in memory card 220 and to PC 229. On theother hand, if main image copy mode is selected in step S383, in stepS385 main image data and main image header information are extractedfrom the continuous-shot image file and a single-shot image file of themain image only is created (step S386), and in step S387 this main imagesingle-shot image file is moved to a copy-object folder. Copying a lightfile of a main image only using this main image copy mode makes itpossible to cut down on memory. Also, using this mode for transmissionenables only a necessary image to be sent to a receiving party withoutimposing a load on a communication channel. Furthermore, memory capacityis not wasted on the receiving side.

Main image replacement processing will now be described with referenceto FIG. 14.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining main image replacement processing.In FIG. 14, first, in step S400 a predetermined image file is selected,and then in step S401 it is determined whether or not this image file isa continuous-shot image file or a single-shot image file, and if it isnot a continuous-shot image file (“NO”), a warning indicating that theselected image file is not a continuous-shot image file is displayed instep S402, and processing is terminated. On the other hand, if it isdetermined in step S401 that the image file is a continuous-shot imagefile (“YES”), in step S403 a transition is made to multi-display mode orsequential display mode, and a new main image is selected using thisdisplay mode (step S404). For example, in the step S403 display mode,display is performed from the current main image. Next, in step S405,diet mode determination is performed. Diet mode is a mode provided inorder to cut down on recording capacity, and if diet mode is selected instep S405 (“YES”), in step S410 the main image compressed data andheader are extracted from the continuous-shot image file, in step S411the management information and header are changed and a new single-shotimage file is created, and in step S412 this single-shot image file isrecorded in memory card 220. Then, lastly, the old continuous-shot imagefile is deleted from memory card 220 in step S413, and processing isterminated.

If diet mode is not selected in step S405 (“NO”), in step S406 new andold main images in the continuous-shot image file are transposed. Thisis executed by reading the continuous-shot image compressed data andheader temporarily into work memory 217, storing the main image data andheader in a sub-image area, storing image data and a header of a newmain image in the main image area, and then reading these sequentially.Next, in step S407, the continuous-shot image file managementinformation and header are changed, and a new continuous-shot image fileis created. Then, the new continuous-shot image file is recorded inmemory card 220 in step S408, and lastly, the old continuous-shot imagefile is deleted from memory card 220 in step S409, and processing isterminated. Thus, using this main image replacement mode enables a mainimage to be easily replaced with another sub-image. Also, when theremaining capacity of memory card 220 is low, image data of other thanthe main image can be deleted immediately using diet mode, enabling theusable capacity to be increased.

In addition to the display (print), copy (move, transmit), and mainimage replacement processing described here, image file processing alsoincludes deletion, color processing, and so forth, but these kinds ofprocessing are executed on all images contained in a continuous-shotimage file. Image file processing is not limited to these kinds, and itis possible to decide as appropriate for each kind of image fileprocessing whether that processing is to be applied only to a main imageor to all images.

As described in detail above, according to this embodiment,microcomputer 228 selects one item of image data from a plurality ofimage data obtained by continuously capturing a plurality of images bymeans of a continuous shooting function as a main image, records theselected main image at the start of one image file, and also recordsimage data of other than the main image as sub-images after the mainimage of that image file. Also, when main image replacement isperformed, microcomputer 228 records a post-replacement main image atthe start of that image file, and records image data of other than themain image after the main image of that image file. By this means,continuous-shot images are recorded together in one file, simplifyinghandling of related images. In this case, of the image data recordedtogether in one file, a main image is recorded at the start, and othersub-images are recorded sequentially after the main image, enabling amain image to be displayed accurately and rapidly in any case. Inparticular, locating a main image first in one file enablescompatibility to be maintained with an imaging apparatus and recordingmedia having a conventional Exif format, and ensures that display andsuchlike output of a main image is possible with any kind of imagingapparatus. This offers the significant advantage of enabling playback onan old-format playback apparatus. Furthermore, locating a main image atthe start also has an effect of achieving fast retrieval. As for themethod of use, a main image is always output first when the relevantfile is clicked.

In Patent Document 4 through Patent Document 6, methods are disclosedwhereby main image data and sub-image data whose data size has beenminified are recorded in one file. However, these technologies, althoughsimilar in using the terms “main image data” and “sub-image data”,differ from this embodiment in (1) having simplification of retrieval asan object and (2) not being continuous-shooting technologies.

Also, in a movie mode of a digital camera, motion JPEG is provided, anda review file of a series of still images is played back in a timeseries. Here, a plurality of image data are recorded in one file.However, since this technology is a moving image playback technology, itdiffers from a technology such as this embodiment whereby a main imageis placed first in a file irrespective of the shooting order.

Embodiment 2

Embodiment 2 is a case in which a main image is selected according to anamount of shake.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining processing that decides a mainimage based on a detected amount of shake according to Embodiment 2 ofthe present invention.

If shake occurs at shooting timing, the captured image will be blurred.Thus, in this embodiment, an amount of shake output from shake detectionsection 225 is monitored, and an image for which the amount of shake issmallest is selected as a main image.

In FIG. 15, first, image number i is initialized (i=1) in step S420.Then, in step S421, digital camera 100 amount of shake Q(i) stored inshooting information storage section 227 at the time of continuousshooting is read. Next, in step S422, amount of shake Q(i) is comparedwith amount of shake Q(i−1) of image (i−1) captured one image earlier,and if amount of shake Q(i) is smaller (“YES”), main image number k isset to i in step S423. On the other hand, if Q(i) is larger than Q(i−1),the processing flow proceeds directly to step S424, image number i isupdated, and the loop from step S421 through step S425 is repeated untilimage number i is equal to N in step S425. Then, lastly, the main imageflag is set for the k-th image in step S426, and processing isterminated. In this way, the image with the smallest amount of shakeamong N images captured by means of continuous shooting can be set as amain image.

Embodiment 3

Embodiment 3 is a case in which a main image is selected according to anamount of motion of an image.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining processing that decides a mainimage based on an amount of motion of a captured image according toEmbodiment 3 of the present invention.

If a subject moves at shooting timing, the captured image will beblurred. Thus, in this embodiment, an amount of motion of a subject ismonitored by means of motion detection section 214 output at the time ofshooting, and an image for which the amount of motion is smallest isselected as a main image.

In FIG. 16, first, image number i is initialized (i=1) in step S440.Then, in step S441, amount of motion M(i) stored in shooting informationstorage section 227 at the time of continuous shooting is read. Next, instep S442, amount of motion M(i) is compared with amount of motionM(i−1) of image (i−1) captured one image earlier, and if amount ofmotion M(i) is smaller (“YES”), main image number k is set to i in stepS443. On the other hand, if M(i) is larger than M(i−1) (“NO”), theprocessing flow proceeds directly to step S444, image number i isupdated, and the loop from step S441 through step S445 is repeated untilimage number i is equal to N in step S445. Then, lastly, the main imageflag is set for the k-th image in step S446, and processing isterminated. In this way, the image with the smallest amount of motion ofa subject among N images captured by means of continuous shooting can beset as a main image.

Embodiment 4

Embodiment 4 is a case in which a main image is selected according to adegree of focusing.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining processing that decides a mainimage based on a degree of focusing of a captured image according toEmbodiment 4 of the present invention.

If the focal point is not exactly on the subject at shooting timing, thecaptured image will be fuzzy. Thus, in this embodiment, a degree offocusing is monitored by means of a captured image contrast value outputfrom AF detection section 213, and an image with the sharpest focus isselected as a main image.

In FIG. 17, first, image number i is initialized (i=1) in step S460.Then, in step S461, contrast value C(i) stored in shooting informationstorage section 227 at the time of continuous shooting is read. Next, instep S462, contrast value C(i) is compared with contrast value C(i−1) ofimage (i−1) captured one image earlier, and if contrast value C(i) islarger (“YES”), main image number k is set to i in step S463. On theother hand, if C(i) is smaller than C(i−1), the processing flow proceedsdirectly to step S464, image number i is updated, and the loop from stepS461 through step S465 is repeated until image number i is equal to N instep S465. Then, lastly, the main image flag is set for the k-th imagein step S466, and processing is terminated. In this way, the image withthe sharpest focus among N images captured by means of continuousshooting can be determined accurately, and that image can be set as amain image.

Embodiment 5

Embodiment 5 is a case in which a face is recognized within an image andan NG flag is set if an image in which the eyes are closed is detected.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining processing that decides a mainimage based on a face recognition result of a captured image accordingto Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

If the subject blinks at shooting timing, an image may be captured inwhich the eyes are closed. Thus, in this embodiment, provision is madefor an image in which the subject's eyes are closed, based on a facerecognition result from image recognition section 218, to be excludedfrom main image candidates. In this embodiment, it is assumed that facerecognition is performed after continuous shooting has finished and Ncontinuous-shot images have been stored in buffer memory 215.

In FIG. 18, first, image number i is initialized (i=1) in step S480.Then, in step S481, the i-th image is read from buffer memory 215. Next,in step S482, face recognition is performed. Then, in step S483, it isdetermined whether or not the subject's eyes are closed based on theface recognition result, and if the subject's eyes are closed (“YES”),NG is set as a face recognition result in shooting information. On theother hand, if it is determined in step S483 that the subject's eyes arenot closed (“NO”), the processing flow proceeds directly to step S485,image number i is updated, and the loop from step S481 through step S486is repeated until image number i is equal to N in step S486. In thisway, an NG setting can be made for an image in which the subject's eyesare closed among N images captured by means of continuous shooting, andthat image can be excluded from the candidates when selecting a mainimage.

Embodiment 6

Embodiment 6 is a case in which a preferred image is set as a main imageafter shooting in auto-bracket mode (hereinafter referred to as “ABmode”).

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a main image selection operation in ABmode shooting according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

In FIG. 19, first, in step S500, it is determined whether or not the setshooting mode is AB mode. If the set mode is not AB mode (“NO”), normalshooting is performed in step S502. If it is determined in step S500that AB mode has been selected (“YES”), first, in step S501, continuousshooting management information such as the number of continuous-shotimages, continuous shooting interval, shooting date and time, andshooting location is input to microcomputer 228. Then, in step S503,initial values are set for the shooting conditions, and in step S504 thesystem waits for release button 103 to be pressed and shooting to start.When AB mode has been set, full-press of release button 103 causes apredetermined number of images to be captured while shooting conditionsare changed in a preset manner. When release button 103 is pressed andshooting starts in step S504, one frame is shot in step S505, and thenin step S506 captured image data is stored in buffer memory 215, and theshooting conditions at that time are stored in shooting informationstorage section 227. Then, in step S507, it is determined whether or notthe number of captured images has reached the predetermined number, andshooting is repeated while updating the shooting conditions (step S508)until the predetermined number is reached. When shooting ends, atransition is made to display mode in step S509, and a preferred imageis selected from among the images captured in AB mode (step S510). Then,lastly, the main image flag is set in the shooting information of theselected image in step S511, and processing is terminated. In this way,one continuous-shot image file having one main image is recorded inmemory card 220 in AB mode shooting in the same way as in normalcontinuous shooting.

Precision of selection can be further improved by combining the mainimage selection method in normal continuous shooting described inEmbodiment 1 through Embodiment 5 with this AB mode shooting main imageselection method. Shooting conditions that change for each shot in ABmode shooting include the exposure amount, white balance, and so forth,but are not, of course, limited to these.

As described above, with an imaging apparatus according to an embodimentof the present invention, a main image can be selected rapidly andaccurately from a plurality of continuous-shot images captured by meansof continuous shooting, and handling of an image file recorded in memorycard 220 is extremely easy.

The above description presents examples of preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limitedto these.

The present invention can be applied to any kind of apparatus that is anelectronic device having an imaging apparatus. For example, it ispossible to apply the present invention not only to digital cameras andvideo cameras, but also to camera-equipped mobile phones, portableterminal apparatuses such as PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants),personal computers equipped with an imaging apparatus, and suchlikeinformation processing apparatuses.

As long as control is performed to record a main image at the start andto record other sub-images sequentially after the main image, any kindof method can be used, and, for example, a method whereby a flag is setfor a main image may be used as well as a method in which a pointer thatindicates a main image is used. Furthermore, in addition to a methodwhereby image data rearrangement is performed at the time of main imagereplacement, it is also possible to use a method whereby image datarearrangement is not performed and a main image is copied to the startposition.

In the above description, it has been assumed that main image selectionis performed automatically in the case of normal continuous shooting,but the present invention is not limited to this, and provision may alsobe made for a photographer to manually set a preferred image whilevisually checking all images captured using multi-display mode orsequential display mode after shooting, in the same way as with AB modeshooting.

In the above description, a main image is decided by independentlyevaluating a shooting state, but a main image may also be decided byperforming overall evaluation of a plurality of shooting states. Forexample, each shooting state could be given an evaluation score, and theimage with the highest total score would be selected as a main image.

In the above description, cases have been described in which a capturedimage is recorded in a memory card after undergoing JPEG compression,but it goes without saying that an image may also be recorded usinganother compression method, and that the present invention can also beapplied to an uncompressed image.

In the above description, processing by a digital camera has beendescribed, but the same kind of processing is also possible for a PC orsuchlike information device in which software supporting acontinuous-shot image file is installed.

In the above description, cases have been described in which acontinuous-shot image file is created for images captured continuouslyin both continuous shooting mode and AB mode, but the images need notnecessarily be continuous-shot images, and it is also possible to createone continuous-shot image file by collecting together related imagesafter they have been individually captured one by one. For example, aplurality of images captured while manually varying the zoommagnification ratio may be recorded in continuous-shot image fileformat.

In the above embodiments, the term “imaging apparatus” has been used,but this is simply for convenience of description, and a term such as“photographic apparatus”, “digital camera”, “imaging method” or the likemay, of course, also be used.

The type, associated drive section, installation method, and so forth ofcomponent sections configuring an above-described digital camera—forexample, the type, associated drive section, installation method, and soforth of the imaging optical system, and the type and so forth of themotion detection section—are not limited to those in the aboveembodiments.

An above-described imaging apparatus is also implemented by a programfor causing the shooting control method of this imaging apparatus tofunction. This program is stored in a recording medium that can be readby a computer.

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-005611, filed onJan. 15, 2007, including the specification, drawings and abstract, isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is suitable for use in an imaging apparatus suchas a digital camera having a continuous shooting function.

1. An imaging apparatus comprising: a continuous shooting section thatcaptures a continuous plurality of images at a predetermined timeinterval in one operation; a recording section that records image datacorresponding to the plurality of captured images in a recording medium;and a main image selection section that selects one main image from theplurality of captured images, wherein the recording section recordsimage data of the main image and image data of a sub-image other thanthe main image as one image file.
 2. The imaging apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the continuous shooting section further comprises acontinuous shooting condition setting section that sets continuousshooting conditions including the time interval and a number of imagescaptured at one time at a time of shooting according to an operation ofa photographer.
 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a shooting state detection section that detects shootingstates of the plurality of captured images at a time of shooting,wherein the main image selection section selects the main image based ona detection result of the shooting state detection section.
 4. Theimaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: the shooting statedetection section detects an amount of shake at a time of shooting; andthe main image selection section selects a captured image for which thedetected amount of shake is smallest as the main image.
 5. The imagingapparatus according to claim 3, wherein: the shooting state detectionsection detects an amount of motion of a subject at a time of shooting;and the main image selection section selects a captured image for whichthe detected amount of motion of the subject is smallest as the mainimage.
 6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: theshooting state detection section detects a degree of focusing on asubject at a time of shooting; and the main image selection sectionselects a captured image for which the detected degree of focusing ishighest as the main image.
 7. The imaging apparatus according to claim3, wherein: the shooting state detection section detects whether or nota subject has his/her eyes closed by recognizing a face of a subject ata time of shooting; and the main image selection section inhibitsselection of a captured image in which the eyes are closed as the mainimage.
 8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, further comprisinga first and second shooting operation section that starts shooting at apredetermined time interval by means of a first shooting operation andterminates shooting after capturing a predetermined number of images ata predetermined time interval by means of a second shooting operation,wherein: the shooting state detection section detects the secondshooting operation; and the main image selection section selects acaptured image captured first after the second shooting operation as themain image.
 9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a shooting condition changing section that changes shootingconditions for each of the plurality of captured images; and a displaysection that displays the plurality of captured images, wherein the mainimage selection section selects the main image from among the pluralityof captured images displayed in the display section according to anoperation of a photographer.
 10. The imaging apparatus according toclaim 9, further comprising a shooting condition setting section thatsets change contents of the shooting conditions at a time of shootingaccording to an operation of a photographer.
 11. The imaging apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising an image file processingsection that selects the image file recorded in the recording medium andexecutes predetermined processing thereon, wherein the image fileprocessing section has the main image only as a processing object. 12.The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image fileprocessing section has the main image and the sub-image as processingobjects.
 13. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein therecording section stores a detection result of the shooting statedetection section together with the image data in the image file andrecords these in the recording medium.
 14. The imaging apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising a main image replacementsection that replaces the main image of the image file with an arbitrarysub-image.
 15. The imaging apparatus according to claim 14, wherein themain image replacement section has a diet mode that deletes all thesub-images and creates a new image file of the main image only.